RRRCC Board of Directors Endorse Hospital Mill Levy

The Board of Directors for the Rio Rancho Regional Chamber of Commerce endorse the Hospital Mill Levy that is on the November 6th ballot.

The Hospital Mill Levy is only 1.9 mill that will go towards expanding services at Sandoval Regional Medical Center (SRMC). The mill levy will provide for Level 3 emergency services and behavioral health services. The primary use for the funds will be adding 52 professional positions for services that are crucial to a growing area like Sandoval County.

The hospital will upgrade its emergency services to a level 3, which is a needed improvement to ensure emergency care in Sandoval County. Sandoval County is a large county based on area, so when there is an emergency then time is of the essence. Distance to a trauma center effects survival rates. As we found out recently with the tragic bus accident on I-25, it is tough to get to UNM in Albuquerque within one hour of the accident occurrence. Central New Mexico needs a level 3 hospital that can serve our county and not force area residents to drive or transported to UNM Hospital on Lomas or St Vincent’s in Santa Fe.

Behavioral health services are a growing need in Rio Rancho and Sandoval County. Behavioral health affects almost everyone in this county, directly or indirectly. The examples of behavioral health from insighttelepsychiatry.com “A person struggling with his or her behavioral health may face stress, depression, anxiety, relationship problems, grief, addiction, ADHD or learning disabilities, mood disorders, or other psychological concerns.” Do you know people like with these health needs? I do! This is exactly why we need these services in Sandoval County. Local, easily accessible services encourage their use and the subsequent benefits to the individual and the community. We should not depend on long lines in Albuquerque to help residents today and in the future.

Rio Rancho and Sandoval County are becoming more self-sufficient and we must decrease our dependency on Albuquerque for essential medical support. We have the ability to make Rio Rancho and Sandoval County the best place in the Southwest to live and your vote on November 6th is another opportunity to ensure we have an outstanding quality of life.

The Chamber Board of Directors urges you to support this mill levy by voting YES on November 6, 2018.